Device for guiding printed paper webs from a printing machine

ABSTRACT

A device for guiding printed paper webs from a printing machine includes a slide assembly mounted in a groove formed in and extending along the length of one side of the machine at a location directly above or below a passage through which the paper web can be directed laterally of the printing machine. The slide assembly includes a socket in which a guide rod is mounted and extends obliquely outwardly from one side of the machine. After the paper web moves through the passage in the side of the machine, it passes over the guide rod and its path of travel is changed so that it extends substantially parallel to the side of the machine through which it has passed.

United States Patent 1191 Brunner May 7, 1974 [54] DEVICE FOR GUIDING PRINTED PAPER 2,136,277 11/1938 Dean 270/5 WEBS FROM A PRINTING MACHINE 3 am In Inventor: Heinrich Brunner, g 2,733,061 1/1956 Crafts 226/197 x Switzerland 2,887,312 5/1959 Zuckerman 270/5 2,988,989 6/1961 Crawford.... 101/182 X [73] Asslgneei Ber", 3,399,884 9/1968 8211118111.... 226/197 x Swltlerland 3,623,645 11/1971 Klingler 226/197 [22] Filed: May 12, 1972 Primary Examiner-J. Reed Fisher [21 1 Appl 252606 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Totem, McGeady & Stanger Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 32,696, April 28, [57] ABSTRACT 1970, abandoned.

A device for guiding printed paper webs from a print- 30 Foreign Application priority Data ing macthine icrllcludesda slidedassenllbly mhourlited Iin a;

. groove orme In an exten Ing aong t e engt 0 May 2, 1969 Sw1tzerland 6719/69 one side of the machine at a location directly above or below a passage through which the paper web can be 'i 53}? directed laterally of the printing machine. The slide [58] Fie'ld /221 225 assembly includes a socket in which a guide rod is 101/228 27O/4 9 mounted and extends obliquely outwardly from one side of the machine. After the paper web moves [56] References Cited through the passage in the side of the machine, it passes over the guide rod and its path of travel is UNITED STATES PATENTS changed so that it extends substantially parallel to the 818,655 411386 CB Ialze ide of the machine through it has passed 836,749 11 1 6 058 1,374,196 4/1921 Getches et a1. 226/197 X 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIAY 7 a974- SHEET 1 OF 5 PATENTEHMAY T 1974 SHEET 3 OF 5 minnow mm 3809,3013

SHEET 0F 5 SHEET 5 BF 5 Q N m Q h m m n j i a I I I I IIL ||L I ll PATENTEBM 71974 DEVICE FOR GUIDING PRINTED PAPER WEBS FROM A PRINTING MACHINE This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 32,696, now abandoned, filed Apr. 28, 1970.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to printing machines and, in particular, to a new and useful attachment for a printing machine which includes an adjustably positionable guide rod for guiding printing paper webs issuing from the printing machine.

In present day folding arrangements for printing machines, the printed paperwebs are usually guided by a superstructure or by diagonal air rods which are built into a very cumbersome, expensive and relatively inaccessible superstructure system. When the direction of movement or position of the paper webs is changed, complicated rearrangement of the machine has to be effected and because of the inaccessibility of its upper structure, such rearrangement is difficult to carry out and is very time-consuming. In addition, it is extremely difficult to arrange for all of the different desired paths of ejection of the paper work in one superstructure.

In accordance with the present invention, an arrangement is provided for guiding printed paper webs from a printing machine which eliminates the disadvantages of the known fixed superstructures. The inventive device includes a number of slide assemblies which are movable transversely in grooves formed in one side of the printing machine and each slide assembly supports a guide rod extending obliquely outwardly from the one side of the printing machine. Advantageously, theslide assemblies are above the passages for the paper webs through the sides of the printing machine.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for facilitating the guidance of paper webs away from a printing machine. In one embodiment, the device includes one or more slide assemblies mounted for movement in grooves along one side of the machine at locations over passages for the paper webs, each slide assembly including a guide rod over which the paper webs can be guided along a new path of travel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a guidance system for changing the direction of passage of the sheets of material, such as printed webs, which is simple in design, rugged in structure, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter'in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 isa perspective elevational view of a portion of a machine frame constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view the machine frame illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the machine frame illustrated in FIG. 1 at a position .2 spaced horizontally from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational schematic showing of a printing machine similar to FIG. 1 indicating a modification of the guidance system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing, similar to that in FIG. 2, of still another modification of the guidance system shown in FIG. I;

. FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, and in particular in FIG. 1, a portion of a machine frame 50 is shown, such as is used in a printing operation, and it includes a vertical wall 3 having vertically spaced longitudinally horizontally extending guide grooves 4 for slide assemblies 2. The slide assemblies 2 are each movable through one of the grooves in the longitudinal direction of the groove. The vertical wall 3 extends between side walls 52, 54 of the machine frame, see FIG. 2.

In accordance with the invention, each slide assembly 2 includes a plate member 2D positioned against the face of the wall 3. A socket portion 2a is attached to one of the ends 2A,2B of the plate member 2D and a guide rod 1 is held in the socket portion. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the opposite ends 2A, 2B, of the plate member of the slide assembly are formed at an oblique angle to the face of the wall 3 and the socket portions 2a are secured to the ends 2A so that they extend obliquely-from the wall in the rightward direction at an angle of about 45. As mentioned above, the socket portions 2a can also be secured to the ends 28 so that they extend at about 45 in the opposite direction, that is in the leftward direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

The wall 3 of the machine frame 50 is provided with a number of vertically spaced horizontally extending passages 5 for printed paper webs 7 which run from a printing machine, not shown, and are directed over the guide rods 1 for changing the direction of travel of the paper webs into new paper web feeding paths 7'. The passages 5 alternate and extend in parallel relationship with the guide grooves 4 across the width of the wall 3.

As shown in FIGS. IA and 18, each groove 4 has a T-shaped configuration with the head portion 4a of its T-shape spaced inwardly from the face of the wall 3 and the shank portion 4b extending to the face of the wall. Each slide assembly consists of the plate member 2D positioned against the face of the wall 3 and a T- shaped member 2E which seats within the corresponding T-shaped groove 4 so that it can be moved longitudinally through the groove and protected against displacement due to its T-shaped configuration. Extending through the plate member 2D to the T-shaped member is a threaded bolt 2C for securing the two parts together and for securing the slide assembly in position within the groove.

In the plate member 2D an elongated slot 2] is provided extending in the direction of the grooves 4 in the wall 3. Within the slot 2.] an angular member 2I-I is positioned and a bolt 2F connects the angular member to the T-shaped member 2E. By tightening the bolt 2F, the angular member 2H can be secured tightly to the wall 3. For coarse adjustment of one of the slide asemblies, both of the bolts 2C and 2F are loosened and the slide assembly is movedmanually throughthe groove into the desired position. By tightening the bolt 2F the angular member 2I-I is secured to the wall and by tightening the bolt 2C the slide assembly is held tightly in position in the groove 4.

To afford fine adjustment of the slide assembly, a setting screw 6 is secured at one end in an abutment 2K rigidly secured to and projecting outwardly from the plate member 2D and at its other end the screw passes in threaded engagement through another abutment 21 secured to the angular member 2H. Note the arrangement of the setting screw 6 and the abutments 2K and 21 in FIG. 1. An adjusting knob 6a is provided on the end of the setting screw 6 adjacent the abutment 2K.

When coarse adjustment of the slide assembly has been achieved, the angular member 2H is held tightly against the wall 3 by the bolt 2F. For effecting a fine adjustment, the bolt 2C is loosened slightly so that the plate member 2D can be displaced longitudinally along the face of the wall 3. While the plate member 2D can be displaced, the angular member 2H is held tightly against the wall 3. By rotating the setting screw in the appropriate direction, the plate member 2D can be moved relative to the angular member 2H and a fine adjustment obtained. When the plate member 2D to which the guide rod 1 is attached is located exactly, the bolt 2C is again tightened, the slide assembly is tightly secured to the wall, and the fine adjustment is completed.

If desired, instead of the manually operated setting screw 6, a motor-driven remotely controlled adjusting means can be provided as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, parts similar to those shown in FIG. I bear the same reference numerals. A slide assembly 2 is shown mounted in a guide groove 4 on one side of a vertical wall 3 of a machine frame 50. On the slide assembly 2 a coarse adjustment device 70 is provided for moving the slide assembly 2 and its associated guide rod 1 into the approximate final position. Once the coarse adjustment has been achieved, the guide rods can be finely adjusted by means of a motor 72 driven by a remote control from a control station, not shown. A worm gear 74 is secured to the motor aNd in turn drives a worm gear spindle 76. The end of the worm gear spindle 76 is threaded into an abutment 78 mounted onthe slide assembly 2. With the body of the slide assembly se cured to the wall 3, by operating the motor 72, the plate member 2D to which the guide rod is attached can be finely adjusted to bring it into the final position. Accordingly, even while the device is operating, it is possible to remotely operate the motor and move the guide rod slight distances to correct the misalignment which might develop.

On the opposite side of the wall 3 from the slide assembly 2 is a paper web guide roll 80 mounted at its opposite ends in bearing blocks 82.

The printed paper webs are moved from the printing machine over the guide roll 80 and through the frame 50 by a drawing and cutting roller system 56, 56, see FIG. 2, and the direction of travel of each web is turned or changed as the web passes over one of the guide rods 1 during its movement along its path of travel. The position of each of the guide rods 1 is adjusted or set in dependence on the desired path of movement or ejection of the paper web. When the arrangement is provided with remotely'controlled setting-means for the slide assembly 2, then the guide rods can be moved individually during operation so that the paper webs can be directed or aligned exactly one above the other. Depending upon the position of the guide rod, the paper web, which is guided over this rod, can be supplied to a folding mechanism with the printed side pointing in the desired direction.

If necessary, the paper web 7 can be deflected by means of additional rollers 8 as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The additional rollers 8 extend perpendicularly to the wall 3 and are mounted on the same side as the guide rods. In this manner, the paper web can be guided to the inlet side of the folding mechanism over a path which has been preselected in advance. The paper webs which change direction in passing over the guide rods are supplied to the folding inlet in a single registered arrangement. Due to the single registration provided, the paths of the paper webs are arranged so that the printed sides are superimposedin a covering manner. I

In the illustrations provided by FIGS. 2 to 5, addi tional schematic arrangements are indicated, each including four separate guide rods 1. Depending upon the position of these guide rods 1, the change in direction of the individual webs which, in this instance, is for separate webs 7, is made in such a manner that the colored sides, regardless of whether they are on the inside or' outside originally, are properly inserted into the folding mechanism.

With the inventive device, all possible variations can be realized by simply changing the positions of the guide rods. Within the scope of the invention as described above, other embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, though not shown, the slide assemblies can be provided with a rocking device to which the guide rods are secured. By means of the rocking device the guide rods can be moved into the desired angular position relative to the wall.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. A device for effecting a change in direction of paper webs as they are fed between two working stations, such as between a printing machine and a folding mechanism, comprises an upwardly extending wall, said wall having a longitudinally extending opening for passing a paper web therethrough, said wall having at least one longitudinally extending guide groove adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending opening through said wall, a slide assembly mounted in said guide groove and movably displaceable through said guide groove in its longitudinal direction, said slide assembly comprising a member which seats within said guide groove and is slidably displaceable therethrough in the longitudinal direction of said groove, a plate member positioned against the face of said wall containing the opening to said guide groove, a guide rod member supported on said plate member and extending outwardly from said plate member and said wall with its outer end unsupported, said guide rod member disposed obliquely of said wall, and means for adjustably securing said plate member to said wall and for effecting a fine adjustment of the position of said guide rod member in the longitudinal direction of said slot.

2. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for adjustably securing said plate member to said wall and for effecting a fine adjustment of the position of said guide member includes a remotely controlled motor, a gear member attached to said motor, a threaded spindle coupled to said gear member and in threaded engagement with said plate member for finely positioning said guide rod member secured to said plate member.

3. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plate member has an elongated slot extending in the longitudinal direction of said groove, an angularly shaped member positioned within the slot in said plate member and disposed in contact with the face of said wall which said plate member contacts, said means for adjustably securing said plate member to said wall and for effecting a fine adjustment comprises means for releasably fastening said member and said angularly shaped member to said wall, means for releasably fastening said,

member and said plate member to said wall, and means connected to said plate member and said angularly shaped member for slidably displacing said plate member relative to said member when said member and angularly shaped member are fastened to said wall for effecting afine adjustment of the position of said guide rod member for directing the movement of the paper web passing through the opening in said wall.

4. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ends of said plate member extending transversely of the iongitudinal direction of said groove are formed at an oblique angle to the face of said wall, and said guide rod member supported on one of said obliquely angled ends of said plate member.

5. A device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein a socket is secured to one of said obliquely shaped ends, said guide rod member is supported in said socket and extends outwardly from said plate member and said wall at approximately a 45 angle to the face of said wall.

6. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for releasably fastening said member to said plate member comprises a first threaded bolt extending through said plate member into threaded engagement with said member for selectively loosening said plate member for positioning said slide assembly in said groove on said wall and for tightening said plate member and member together into contact with said wall for locking said slide assembly in position on said wall.

7. A device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said angular member has a projection extending outwardly from said slot away from said wall, said means for releasably fastening said member and said angularly shaped member comprises a second threaded bolt extending through said angular member into said member, said means connected to said plate member and said angularly shaped member comprises a setting screw fixed at one end to said plate member and at its opposite end in threaded engagement with .the projection on said angular member so that by locking said angular member to said member with said second bolt and loosening said first bolt slightly a fine adjustment of said slide assembly can be achieved by rotating said setting screw which slidably displaces said plate member relative to said angular member and said member secured within said groove.

8. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said groove is T-shaped with the head portion of its T- shaped configuration spaced inwardly from the face of said wall and the stem portion extending from the head portion to the surface of said wall which said plate member contacts, and said member is T-shaped so that it slidably seats within and against both the head and stem portions of said T-shaped groove.

9. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said wall has a plurality of the longitudinally extending openings arranged horizontally and disposed in vertically spaced positions, each of the openings arranged for the passage of a paper web therethrough, said wall having one said longitudinally extending horizontally arranged groove associated with and disposed in parallel relationship with each of the passages through said side wall, each said groove containing one said slide assembly located therein for adjustable movement in the longitudinal direction of said groove, and said guide rod associated with each said slide assembly is arranged to extend outwardly away from said wall at approximately 45 relative to the face of said wall for changing the direction of movement of the paper web passing through the associated opening in said wall. 

1. A device for effecting a change in direction of paper webs as they are fed between two working stations, such as between a printing machine and a folding mechanism, comprises an upwardly extending wall, said wall having a longitudinally extending opening for passing a paper web therethrough, said wall having at least one longitudinally extending guide groove adjacent to and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending opening through said wall, a slide assembly mounted in said guide groove and movably displaceable through said guide groove in its longitudinal direction, said slide assembly comprising a member which seats within said guide groove and is slidably displaceable therethrough in the longitudinal direction of said groove, a plate member positioned against the face of said wall containing the opening to said guide groove, a guide rod member supported on said plate member and extending outwardly from said plate member and said wall with its outer end unsupported, said guide rod member disposed obliquely of said wall, and means for adjustably securing said plate member to said wall and for effecting a fine adjustment of the position of said guide rod member in the longitudinal direction of said slot.
 2. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for adjustably securing said plate member to said wall and for effecting a fine adjustment of the position of said guide member includes a remotely controlled motor, a gear member attached to said motor, a threaded spindle coupled to said gear member and in threaded engagement with said plate member for finely positioning said guide rod member secured to said plate member.
 3. A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plate member has an elongated slot extending in the longitudinal direction of said groove, an angularly shaped member positioned within the slot in said plate member and disposed in contact with the face of said wall which said plate member contacts, said means for adjustably securing said plate member to said wall and for effecting a fine adjustment comprises meAns for releasably fastening said member and said angularly shaped member to said wall, means for releasably fastening said member and said plate member to said wall, and means connected to said plate member and said angularly shaped member for slidably displacing said plate member relative to said member when said member and angularly shaped member are fastened to said wall for effecting a fine adjustment of the position of said guide rod member for directing the movement of the paper web passing through the opening in said wall.
 4. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ends of said plate member extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said groove are formed at an oblique angle to the face of said wall, and said guide rod member supported on one of said obliquely angled ends of said plate member.
 5. A device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein a socket is secured to one of said obliquely shaped ends, said guide rod member is supported in said socket and extends outwardly from said plate member and said wall at approximately a 45* angle to the face of said wall.
 6. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for releasably fastening said member to said plate member comprises a first threaded bolt extending through said plate member into threaded engagement with said member for selectively loosening said plate member for positioning said slide assembly in said groove on said wall and for tightening said plate member and member together into contact with said wall for locking said slide assembly in position on said wall.
 7. A device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said angular member has a projection extending outwardly from said slot away from said wall, said means for releasably fastening said member and said angularly shaped member comprises a second threaded bolt extending through said angular member into said member, said means connected to said plate member and said angularly shaped member comprises a setting screw fixed at one end to said plate member and at its opposite end in threaded engagement with the projection on said angular member so that by locking said angular member to said member with said second bolt and loosening said first bolt slightly a fine adjustment of said slide assembly can be achieved by rotating said setting screw which slidably displaces said plate member relative to said angular member and said member secured within said groove.
 8. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said groove is T-shaped with the head portion of its T-shaped configuration spaced inwardly from the face of said wall and the stem portion extending from the head portion to the surface of said wall which said plate member contacts, and said member is T-shaped so that it slidably seats within and against both the head and stem portions of said T-shaped groove.
 9. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said wall has a plurality of the longitudinally extending openings arranged horizontally and disposed in vertically spaced positions, each of the openings arranged for the passage of a paper web therethrough, said wall having one said longitudinally extending horizontally arranged groove associated with and disposed in parallel relationship with each of the passages through said side wall, each said groove containing one said slide assembly located therein for adjustable movement in the longitudinal direction of said groove, and said guide rod associated with each said slide assembly is arranged to extend outwardly away from said wall at approximately 45* relative to the face of said wall for changing the direction of movement of the paper web passing through the associated opening in said wall. 